Isn't today a National Holiday?

It's been a busy past couple of days, but I just wanted to post quickly my results of the B-Fit-B-Day Challenge and say thanks for all the wonderful birthday wishes today, yesterday and the past few days! My Birthday party was awesome, I received some very unecessary gifts from friends and co-workers, and another wonderful dinner with friends this evening! I have the best friends and family evah!

My goal for the challenge was to go GOLD; completing the following within 24 hours of my 28th Birthday, and that is just what I did:

• 8 mile run (1:42:12, 12:46/mile average) - I complete this last night. I didn't think I would get through it, but I did. After the 5K on icy grounds Saturday morning, combined with a tight left calf from bouncing on my left foot while rockin' out on the guitar in Rock Band Saturday night, and not stretching enough after the past few weeks' runs, I was not in the best condition for this run, but I did it, with the help of a lot of walking. The first 4 miles went smooth as a baby's butt, probably averaging almost 11 minute miles, but it went downhill from there. My right knee started to get stiff and bother me, so I did a lot of walking and was able to finish.
• 2000M Swim (44:00, 2:12/100M average) - This I completed at the butt crack of dawn this morning, while most of you were still sleeping. This was the easiest of my 3 disciplines to do, as this is the distance that I usually do in the pool. However, the last 8 laps I really cranked it out and it felt great!
• 31.06 mile Bike (1:18:00, 23.89mph average) - This was supposed to be 28 miles. I did this workout today after school. I wanted to do it all on the spin bike but knew I probably wouldn't get 28 miles in spin class, so I jumped on an upright bike prior to spin to get in some miles first (9.36) and then added the results of spin class (21.7). It felt great.

Despite some previous negative comments about turning 28, I am okay with it! I am probably the healthiest and happiest I have ever been and I am thankful for that!

Tomorrow I am taking a rest day. I will be waiting for the arrival of my new dining room table and taking the time to check in on you guys, as well as piecing together my reflections of 2008 and my goals and aspirations for 2009! It's going to be an exciting year, I just know it!

Monday's Workout:
Run - 8 miles, 1:42:12, 12:46/mile average
Tuesday's Workout:
Swim - 2000M, 44:00, 2:12/100M average
Bike - 31.06 miles, 1:18:00, 23.89mph average

Today's Song: Green Day - Holiday (in sidebar)

I've made my decision

I have taken a sick day today with the plan of scratching 3 routine doctor appointments off the list. yay. As for the rest of the day, I hope to not only finish putting up the Christmas decorations, but clean the house, search for a dining room table, and possibly finish up some Christmas shopping. I know, ambitious. But, I have to take advantage of the extra time when I can.

This morning I met a friend at the gym to do some lifting and then bike. I haven't lifted in over a month, and I have been trying to encourage her to incorporate lifting into her workout routine. Sometimes she struggles with the same knee issues I struggled with a year ago, prior to lifting on a regular basis. I have encouraged her to lift, in hopes that it will help diminish her knee issues as the muscles strengthen.

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In regards to the Challenge I was trying to come up with for December, I have made my decision. I will be doing the B-fit-B-day Challenge. Now, I just need to decide which level I want to do. My overall goal is to do the Gold, fo sho. This means that within 24 hours I will have to run 8 miles, swim 2000M, and bike 28 miles. The swim and bike is very do-able, but I haven't ran 8 miles since the half marathon training last spring. If I do the Gold, I will run my 8 miles next Monday evening, swim the 2000M Tuesday morning, and then finish off with the 28 mile bike/Spin Tuesday afternoon. If for some reason I can't finish my 8 miles monday night, I will spread this challenge across the 3 days (monday, tuesday, and wednesday) .... going for the Silver.

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Today's Workout:
Lift - legs
Bike - 12.67 miles, 35:00, 21.72mph

Today's Song: Taylor Swift - Love Story (I don't know why I like this song so much!)

What kind of Challenge should one do?

I started December off with a bang. There's nothing like a 2000M swim at 5am on a Monday. It was just one of those days that my skilz in the pool clicked and with each 100M it got easier and I got faster. Overall, I did 2000M consecutively in less than 46:00 (with a couple chat breaks). booyah!

I am still trying to think of a good challenge for December; something to keep me motivated. Streaking? increase in miles/meters? What should a girl do?

I am also thinking of participating in the B-fit-B-day challenge. I will be turning, gulp, 28, gulp. So, this means I will need to do an 8 mile run, 28 mile bike, and 2000M in the pool. I am trying to decide which level I want to try and am most likely looking at the Silver level. The Gold level is a possibility but not likely going to happen.

Any thoughts to all this crazy-talk?